The European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Framework Agreement) (Australia) Order 2018

Made10th October 2018

Coming into force in accordance with article 2

At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 10th day of October 2018

Present,

The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council

A draft of this Order has been laid before Parliament in accordance with section 1(3) of the European Communities Act 19721 and has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

Accordingly, Her Majesty, in exercise of the powers conferred on Her by section 1(3) of the European Communities Act 1972, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order as follows:

1.

This Order may be cited as the European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Framework Agreement) (Australia) Order 2018.

2.

This Order comes into force on the date on which the treaty specified in article 3 enters into force for the United Kingdom2.

3.

The Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Australia, of the other part, signed at Manila on 7th August 20173 is to be regarded as an EU Treaty as defined in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 19724.

Richard Tilbrook

Clerk of the Privy Council

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order declares the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Australia, of the other part, signed at Manila on 7th August 2017 (the Agreement), to be an EU Treaty as defined in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

The Agreement provides a legal framework to consolidate and strengthen cooperation between the European Union, its Member States and Australia in a range of sectors of mutual interest, including: promoting democratic principles and respect for human rights, countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, combating illicit trade of small arms and light weapons, taking measures against the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, and combating terrorism.

The principal effect of declaring the Agreement to be an EU Treaty is that the provisions of section 2 of the European Communities Act 1972 (which provide for implementation of treaties specified in orders made under section 1(3) of that Act) apply to it.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been carried out for this Order as there is a negligible impact on the costs to UK business, charities and voluntary bodies.